2010 Prius, Foundation Brake

# 7 – 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS, FOUNDATION BRAKE:

The 2010 Toyota Prius is part of the year 2009 – 2015 model range.

NHTSA investigations and recalls related to “Foundation Brake”

Recall 13V-235, filed June 5, 2013, Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 Prius vehicles manufactured March 31, 2009, through October 9, 2009; and model year 2010 Lexus HS250h vehicles manufactured June 19, 2009, through October 9, 2009. Nitrogen gas from a component of the brake booster pump assembly could leak into the brake fluid.

Recall 10V-039, filed February 9, 2010, Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 Toyota Prius and Lexus hs250h passenger vehicles. Customers have experienced inconsistent brake feel after abs actuation during slow and steady application of the brakes on rough or slick road surfaces. Stopping distances may be increased compared with a customer’s expectation for a given pedal force.

PE10-006 Service brakes, Hydraulic Opened February 3, 2010; Closed July 12, 2010

The subject vehicles are the first model year of a new design generation of the Prius model line. The vehicles are powered by a hybrid drive system that uses both a regenerative braking system, which converts vehicle momentum into electrical energy to be stored in onboard batteries, and a hydraulic brake system more typical of the brake system used on non-hybrid vehicles. As is the case for other similarly designed hybrid vehicles the interaction and management of the two braking systems during ABS braking is complex and requires a sophisticated control system.

In a February 9, 2010 Defect Information Report, Toyota advised the agency of its plans to conduct a safety recall to address inconsistent brake feel and increased stopping distances that may occur during braking events requiring ABS operation, such as would occur when braking on rough or low friction road surfaces. Toyota will reprogram the ABS control unit with improved software that addresses this condition. Based on Toyota’s action the investigation is closed. ODI will continue to monitor the subject vehicles’ performance and will take further action as future circumstances dictate.